Must the electrical equipment in a gas-fired hot water boiler room be explosion-proof?
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The gas boiler room is used to produce hot water at temperatures ranging from 110°C to 70°C. Its rated thermal power is 10.5 MW, with 4 gas boilers in operation. The rated outlet water pressure is 1.0 MPa, the rated outlet water temperature is 115°C, and the rated return water temperature is 70°C. The natural gas consumption per boiler is 1,600 Nm3/h. The electrical power requirement is 55 × 4 kW (380 V/3 PH/50 HZ). The area of the boiler room is 450 m2, and it is equipped with automatic alarms for detecting concentrations of flammable and explosive gases, 3 fire hydrants, as well as portable chemical fire extinguishers. The fire hazard level associated with the water produced here is classified as Category D or E. Must the electrical equipment in a gas hot water boiler room be explosion-proof? Please ask experts for help.
They must be explosion-proof electrical devices, and gas detectors should also be installed.
It must be explosion-proof electrical equipment. Since the burning material is gas, it needs to be delivered through pipes, which means there will be flanges, valves, and similar components; in case of abnormal conditions, leaks may occur. With an open flame involved, explosion-proof classification level 3 is definitely necessary. Since combustible gas detectors have been installed, it follows that the electrical equipment must also be explosion-proof.
Article 2.2.2 An area may be classified as a non-explosive hazard area if it meets one of the following conditions: 1. An area without any source of release and where it is impossible for flammable materials to enter； II. The maximum possible concentration of flammable substances shall not exceed 10% of the lower explosive limit ； III. Near equipment that uses an open flame during the production process, or near equipment whose surface temperature of hot components exceeds the ignition temperature of flammable materials in the area ； IV. In areas outside the production facility zone, where overhead pipelines for transporting flammable materials are installed in an open or exposed manner; the location of their valves shall be determined according to specific circumstances. So it is not an explosion-proof area